FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1787, 27 June 1913, Page 10

FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

SOME OF. THE REMITS. Remits to be doalt with at the twelfth annual conference of the Farmers' Union on July 15 aro now to hand. An idea of tho work to bo done may be gained from the following extracts from tho agenda .Land Laws. "That this conference still upholds the freehold tenure of land as being the best both for tho State and the individual. "That this conference' desires to express its approval of tho land legislation of the present Government." . "That whilst tho union is as much against reagjfregation of 'land as ever, some land should bo disposed of in such areas as will permit a reasonable living to be macto by ;auy person taking it up, and some, provision should be made so that the restrictions which are imposed ■by the Lancl Act should be so altered as to allow any lending company to be able to foreclose so as, to enable the holders j of such land to borrow monej on, equal ; terms to ordinary freeholders. "That the l.i.p. tenants under the Lands for Settlement Act be granted tho o.r.p. tenure, with limitation of area. "That the Government be asked to extend tho deferred payment system to holders of all renewable and o.r.p. leases when granting the freehold." "That rural endowment lands, whicli 'have failed to find occupiers, be thrown open for selection under the optional : tenure, proceeds from 301110 to be reinvested for endowment purposes. l l , "That the Government be asked to : make all-land boards elective by Crown te "Tlwt the Valuation of Land Act be so altered as to permit of the value on. a five per cent, basis of any special rates paid on such lands for roading, etc., being reckoned an improvements. "That in cases of disagreement as to value, the Government should bo compelled to tako over all land at the Government valuation, or reduce to the owner's value. " "That in cases where tho farmer con-, siders hi 3 valuation too high, and lodges an objection, a valuer with local knowledge bo appointed to act with tho bovernment valuer." Taxation. "That this conference is of opinion that the land tax, ascoriipAred with : the income tax, is acting very unfairly on tho farming community, .and that the system requires altering, so that'; there would be an equal ...burdon "on , air ; capital, whether invested laud • or ■ any other clas3 of investment." : ••' '' "That farmers be urged to use their, best ondeavoirrs to / tho single tax proposals being urged, by interested associations and. individuals. .. Customs Matters./ "That this conference would urge the Dominion, Executive; to' watch. closelyany attempt by interested parties to further increase the Customs duties on farmers requirements, and to take, every opportunity 'to press for reductions and removals of any-duties which place unduo on the farming industry.' "That the conference consider the advisability of imposing an. {sport duty on whito pine with a view to its conservation for our own use, as it is the only native timber that is recognised as suitable for butter boxes." Railways and Public Works. ""Under. thi3 "hpading, remits will be ■moved in" opposition to the system of building public.works.by co-operative labour. ■ • , . ~ ~, Remits;'also favour a system of light railways, .the completion of the South Island MaiinTru'nk' line, the removal of penal and "preferential, rates' on certain goods, greater'facilities for loading stock at flag stations, the connection of all railway tablet stations with the telephone system, the-mbro speedy transit, and the better cue of live stock:on' the railways, the letter 'care of dairy produce at Tailway stations, and the readjustment of suburban fares. Immigration, From several centres remits favour a vigorous immigration policy. The Taranaki delegates will movo: "That in order to further increase the production and exports of New Zealand, a steady increase of workers of good character" is absolutely necessary, and that tho union fully endorses tho action of the Government in giving assistance to immigrants of this .class." .

Agricultural and Pastoral. "That all draught and harness stallions offered'' for service to the public should to examined anil registered by a Government veterinarian beforo being licensed." "That .a' deputation from the conference wait upon the Minister and endeavour to obtain trom him a pledge that tho Government will not fail to bring up the Stallion Bill in the present session of Parliament." ' "That the time has come when the Government should further encourage tho importation of pedigree stock by arranging a, reduction of freight and quarantine charges by diicct contribution oi cost: of freight.'' "That tho union as a body urges on the Government the advantages to be gained especially by the small farmer, if, instead of selling their best breed of bulls by auction or otherwise, thoso bulb were leased out, then the small farmer would have a better chance of getting herds together, and the many would be benefited. This leasing out of pure-toed bulls is carried on extensively in Jiew South Wales by the Government the bulls being advertised for lease. "That all cows that have sintered from contagious mammitis bo branded with a Government brand to safeguard buyers at stock auction sales, and that tho government be requested to pass legislation that will prevent, cows suffering from -ontagious mammitis Loins sold a3 darry •ows and that' the Government bo urged to use their utmost endeavour to have tho disease stamped out." . "That the Government be urged in make pasteurisation of all milk received it creameries compulsory with the view to stamping out tuberculous disease. "That tho Government bo urged to malco a provision in the Stock Act tnat Will allow purchasers of dairy stock at / public auction to have such stock examined by the Government Veterinary Surgeans ivith the tuberculins test, and condemned if necessary, within seven days after, purchase, at tho previous owner s ""That if cows are destroyed for tho benefit of tho public, it is unfau that the farmers should; suffer financial loss; \ also that the dairies and factories should be compelled to sterilise skim-milk and

"That it shall be imperative for the auctioneer to give the name of all venders and purchasers at auction sales. , "That this conference urge upon the Government that where popiblo inspectors of stock should bo. veterinary surzeons, and wheTever possible the advice ind assistance of Government vetermarlea bo made available in all country districts at a small fee, antl that greater facilities should bo Riven for instructing young men in veterinary science. "That tho union object to the method of stunning stock with a 711). hammer when slaughtering, as suggested by the Socioty for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and that the Government be asked to put an amendment to the Act for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which rclato to country stock, before the union, lexecif'ive before bringing them into operation." "That it 1» a recommendation trom this conference to" the Minister for Agriculture that steps bo taken to eradicate tho sheep tick from New Zealand. "That to secure the purity of grass and clover seeds, competent officers be appointed to inspect fields before cutting and issuo certificates or otherwise. Industrial Affairs. "That, this confcrence protest against the farming industry being included under the provisions of the ( Government s proposed Arbitration Act. "That this conference considers that tho time lias arrived for each provincial district to set u.d defeuce committees

to tako action to prevent strikes. ami also to organise free labour to take the place of the strikers should the employees cease work."